They graduated from high school years ago and then went out into the world where they made their school proud.

Sunday afternoon the Lawrence Lions Alumni Assn. paid special tribute to four of its graduates from Liberty Memorial and Lawrence high schools by adding their names and photos to the Hall of Honor.

“I find it truly an honor to be associated with such a fine group of people,” said Ron Hurst, who was one of the honorees.

Hurst, a 1956 graduate and retired Kansas University electronic technologist, was inducted into the hall along with Ervin Hodges, a former Lawrence mayor, city commissioner and retired Marine; Erin Pattee Brockovich-Ellis, an environmental advocate; and Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University.

Hurst was selected because of his longtime community activism and involvement with numerous boards and commissions.

“This guy has given so much to his community I don’t know if we deserve it,” said Jerry Rogers, one of Hurst’s high school coaches. Rogers introduced Hurst, describing him as “one of my favorite people.”

Benton made a name for himself because “he always did the right thing,” said friend Kelvin Heck. “He always had goals, good friends and a purpose in life.”

Benton, a 1970 graduate, credited LHS teachers and the people he met with showing him how to be independent and make his way in the world.

“They shaped my life, who I am, and taught me how it feels to be entrusted with leadership,” Benton said.

Andrew Benton, left, Lawrence High class of 1970, accepts a plaque commemorating his induction into the LHS Hall of Honor, from his friend Kelvin Heck. The Sunday afternoon ceremony also honored Erin Pattee Brockovich-Ellis, Ervin Hodges and Ron Hurst.

Hodges, a 1946 graduate of Liberty Memorial High School, described his selection into the hall as an “unexpected pleasure.” A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, Hodges described how attending high school during World War II and the education he received affected his life.

“Memories of the teachers are still strong,” he said.

Hodges was introduced by his son, Mark Hodges. In addition to his father’s military career and involvement with city government, Mark Hodges also noted his dad’s efforts to establish the Douglas County Memorial of Honor.

Brockovich-Ellis, who graduated in 1978 and was the subject of the critically acclaimed movie that bore her name and starred Julia Roberts, was unable to attend the ceremony. The movie focused on Brockovich’s efforts while working for a California law firm to get to the bottom of environmental corruption. She currently is working on an environmental investigation at a Beverly Hills high school where some students have died of cancer, her parents, Frank and B.J. Pattee, said.

Her parents described how Brockovich-Ellis overcame a less-than-steller academic performance at LHS to become a success. Part of the credit belongs to a former teacher, Kathy Tate, who helped discover that their daughter suffered from dyslexia, the Pattees said.

Tate, now a lieutenant with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, attended the ceremony. Afterward, she said she thought at the time Brockovich-Ellis might have a learning disability but that not much was known about dyslexia at the time.

“I knew that because of her spirit and attitude that she was capable of doing big things,” Tate said.